Protecting Kids from Predators: Questions to Ask and Things to Know

All parents have the fear of sending their children to school. When they start kindergarten, there is also a part of parents that feel like their child is truly on their way as far as growing up. Then comes middle school, which once again brings the realization that their children are growing up. Then, of course, when they enter high school and college, there are all sorts of new fears. The kids of this age will soon be driving, moving out on their own and growing by leaps and bounds as adults, and hopefully, as responsible young men and women.

Every year when school starts parents are asked to sign all sorts of school papers, ranging from release forms for this and that, permission for all sorts of activities that go on in their specific school, and of course the papers stating who can, and in some cases cannot pick up your child from school or have contact with them due to court orders and so on.

My concern comes in the form of the people who can and cannot have contact with your child at school. Who can pick up your child from, who has strict court orders not to contact your child. Have you ever wondered if these rules are enforced as much as you would like? Have you ever been in a situation and feared that you may go pick your child up one day from school to discover their not there, and that someone else picked up your child without your permission? Have you ever taken the time to talk with the school about your fears? Do you truly know your school district's policy or ability to enforce their own policies?

I am begging all parents with children in school to seriously ask these questions. Ask what the school systems policy is on people picking up children from school. Ask your district how they verify the information people are giving them before picking up your child after or during school for that matter.

If your district gives you an answer your not satisfied with, make sure that they understand your feelings, thoughts, and the way you want your child, for that matter any child to be treated when being picked up from school. Petition your school to install cameras, to check your child's file, check ID's of people that are picking up your child to be sure the person is actually on the list, in fact make sure your child knows not to leave with anyone from their school that they do not know. If your child does not know that they are suppose to be picked up be sure they understand that they are not to leave the school building with anyone that they do not trust.

Some other things to instill in your child about being picked up at school could be very simple, but could save you and your family a terrible heartbreak. Not only make sure your child knows not to leave the building with anyone other then people on your specific list, if your child is not comfortable leaving with someone that is on your list make sure your child knows to voice that concern in the school office, have yourself available via cell phone, work number, or some other alternate number to verify that someone is picking your child up, this will put your child's mind at ease. Never call to pick up your child unless it is an emergency. This may tack a few extra minutes onto your wait at the school to pick up your child but it is well worth it. Take the few extra minutes to walk into the school and physically sign your child out, do not allow them to do this themselves.

It all comes down to basic safety, and in this day and age, with abductions, kidnappings, and murders do not chance your child. Do not chance or assume that they just know what to do, talk to them and make sure they understand how things need to work. Protect your children at all costs, and get your child's school involved in the process the whole way through.